by James Hunt | May 27, 2015
I grew up in church and remember scheduled revivals. You know what I mean if you’ve been church life for awhile. The pastor or staff schedules a special guest speaker to come in and preach for two-to-three days or more. The special occasion is dubbed a revival. Whether or not revival actually occurs is another story; nevertheless, the moniker sticks.
All my life I have heard people pray for revival. And who hasn’t heard the pastor wax eloquent regarding the need for revival in our land? I thank God for the prophetic voices of revival preachers reminding us that we are to walk in personal holiness before the Lord of glory. It is so easy to allow sin to slide into our souls and subtly begin to share space that belongs to the Lord Jesus. The shifts of our hearts and minds happen gradually like rising water eroding away riverbank. Certainly what is needed is a return to holiness in our lives!
Though revival preachers remind us of the need for a holy walk before the Lord God. It is my contention that this is not all there is to revival. If the sum total of our quest for revival is a return to personal holiness then revival is not understood in its fullest and most biblical context. I think a better model for revival is found in James 1:27 wherein is described by the Holy Spirit what constitutes pure religion.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” [emphasis mine].
Pure religion consists of two things:
- Showing mercy to the marginalized, as illustrated by the mention of orphans and widows.
- Keeping oneself unstained from the world.
Let’s address the latter one first: For true religion to exist in our lives we must deal with personal sin. We cannot expect vibrant fellowship with the Lord Jesus when we sacrifice our values and morals on the altar of popular cultural opinion. We must cleanse ourselves of impurity and pursue godliness so that we are unstained by the world’s philosophical values, morals, and ethics. We must look heavenward and embrace what matters to God – what is right and true.
But true revival must include more than a return to personal holiness. It must also include a turning out to personal action toward those who are powerless. It is this second point that I think is lacking in much of the emphasis that still remains in our pursuit of revival. Often times when we hear revival, we think of how much our country is going down hill. We don’t often talk about how the church should be moving toward the down and out in Jesus’ name – firmly holding onto truth and the mission of God on the one hand and demonstrating the compassion and mercy of Jesus in the other. We need a James 1:27 revival.
by James Hunt | May 12, 2015
An angel greeted the women who’d come to put spices on the deceased body of Jesus. But Jesus had risen. The angel had a word of instruction for these devoted followers. He said to them, “Go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you” (Mark 16:7).
Why did the angel mention Peter? Of the 11 remaining disciples, why is Peter singled out? Think about it for a moment if you will. Peter is the one who before the trial and crucifixion possessed tremendous bravado. He is the one who told the Lord Jesus that he would never betray him or deny him – that he would go to the death with him!
In a tide of self-defeat, Peter does deny the Lord. When the realization hits him that the failure predicted by Jesus has come true Peter tastes the bitter flavor of self-disappointment. He goes out and weeps bitterly. And now just two and a half days later, Peter is still stinging from his complete meltdown in the face of danger.
Have you ever had one of those occasions where you are faced with the grim reality of your own brokenness? That moment when you see with unfortunate clarity just how weak you really are? The feeling of self-disappointment can be a greater burden to bear then other types of challenge. Sometimes the weight of self-defeat is like an iron ball and chain enslaving us in misery.
The text doesn’t tell us but I have to wonder if the resurrected Jesus whispered a word of instruction into the angel’s ear regarding Peter, “Make sure and mention Peter’s name.” Or, maybe the witness of the angels who observed the entire Passion event also witnessed Peter’s utter failure. Either way, what an encouragement and sign of hope it must have been once Peter received the news that his name was specifically mentioned in the context of seeing Jesus. The message was clear, “Not only is Jesus risen from the dead but also he’s still interested in a relationship with you, Peter!”
Have you in a moment of strength told Jesus what you’re going to do for him? Have you later failed to follow through on your promise? Have your faith and spiritual performance ever crashed in defeat? Take heart, Jesus is still interested in you. Just as our Lord knew that Peter would stumble and fall and had already made provision for the same, in like manner, Jesus already knows your weaknesses, when you’re going to stumble, and has already made provision for you.
So what is there left for you to do? Just return to him with your gaze firmly fixed on the sweet Savior of Heaven who has condescended to stoop and pick you up. Let him put the oil of gladness in your soul and the balm of kindness and forgiveness upon your wounded spirit.
Rise up, O saint of God, for that is what you truly are! Now go and walk in freedom and joy today!
by James Hunt | Apr 28, 2015
I have been reading through the Old Testament book of Job for awhile now. I’m sure you are familiar with the basic storyline of the book.
Job, a wealthy land owner and businessman was father to grown children and married to one wife. He was an extremely wealthy man who lost it all due to an unforeseen exchange between God and the devil.
Some of Job’s friends come to commiserate with him. It is commendable that they sit with Job and say nothing for days on; however, when they finally do speak, what they have to say is less than comforting! Three of the four friends blather on – one after another, hurling a litany of invectives at Job.
Silent in the shadows until chapter 32 is a younger guy named Elihu. He waited until the three other friends got done spewing all that they had to spit out at Job. He waited out of deference toward his elders. He must have sensed that the other guys were a bit rough on Job so he assures him by saying, “Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy on you” (Job 32:7).
Elihu didn’t live up to his reassuring promise. Almost immediately he began accusing Job and then he caught up to the other three friends with the condemnation aimed straight at Job’s character. His accusations were just as bad as the other three guys!
Isn’t it interesting that when we listen to other people give advice or say comments about others that it can seem sometimes harsh; yet, when it comes time for us to say something that we feel strongly about, it simply seems like the right thing to say? But what if that’s the same perspective all four of Job’s friends equally possessed?
What if they truly thought they were not laying upon Job a heavy burden; rather, that they were simply saying what needed to be said? They thought their words were rooted in truth and for Job’s correction and benefit. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with them because they did not speak of Him what was true (Job 42:7-8).
Is there a lesson for us? Perhaps. Could it be that we should reserve our scathing judgment of others and not assume that we are as wise as we sometimes like to think we are? A better display of wisdom would be speaking the truth in love. Maybe we should take up the belt of truth and not use truth like a bat to be wielded?
As we choose to withhold our judgment of other Christians we may find ourselves inadvertently aligning ourselves more closely with God’s purpose; after all, God may be up to more in that person’s life than we first imagine. Who knows, maybe God is working in us too?
by James Hunt | Apr 8, 2015
This past Sunday was a wonderful Easter celebration at First Southern, Guthrie. I was enjoying the cantata when something caught my eye. Just in front of the communion table lay a purple bunny – a stuffed animal no doubt dropped by a child who’d come forward moments before to put coins in the OBHC offering house.[1] We do this each week – the kids know they can come forward to give an offering for the children’s home ministry of Oklahoma Baptists.
Anyway, there the bunny was. I couldn’t resist the opportunity for a bit of levity. When the time came for me to go on the stage and preach a (hopefully) glorious Easter sermon, I paused, and leaning over, dramatically picked up the bunny and held it up for the audience to see. I declared, “Apparently, the Easter Bunny made it to church!” It was a good moment to lighten the intensity of the hour.
Intensity – there surely is a whole lot of energy and intentional effort that goes into preparations for Easter. This is true of our church, but it’s also true for many families. For those with little children, there is the purchasing of plastic eggs and the Sunday morning ritual of hiding them for the delightful discovery of eager hands.
Then, of course, there are the Easter Sunday luncheons and gatherings that bring families together for a moment of fellowship and maybe a basketball game, sleepily observed during the afternoon. But alas, as the day draws to a close, it’s cleanup time in preparation for settling down into the normal routines of life.
After the holiday hype dies down sometimes there is a bit of disappointment. After all, the anticipation is over and the experience is complete. Or is it?
With other holidays we have a day off and maybe a cookout or a gathering or two, depending on the season. The day ends and life goes back to normal. There can be a bit of a letdown.
But I think Easter is different. If the main point of Easter is celebrating the crucified, buried, resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord of all creation, Jesus Christ, then every day is a celebration of the One who is life. Every Sunday is homage to our resurrected Lord Jesus. For the Christian, every day should be a reflection on the Gospel.
I like the explanation of the Gospel written between the contents page and the introduction of David Platt’s new book Counter Culture.
“The Gospel – the good news that the just and gracious creator of the universe has looked upon hopelessly sinful men and women and has sent his Son, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, to bear his wrath against sin on the cross and to show his power over sin in the resurrection, so that everyone who turns from their sin and themselves and trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord will be reconciled to God forever.”[2]
After the Easter worship service was over, a dad sheepishly came up to me smiling saying, ”Thanks for outing me on my bunny!” Of course, we got a laugh out of that, both enjoying the innocence of his child dropping the Easter bunny in front of the communion table.
In imagination world, the Easter bunny has hopped away for the year not to return until stores turn our attention to brightly-colored eggs, bunnies, and baskets next spring. But for the Christian, it’s not about the bunny anyway; it’s always about Jesus. Since this is true, we get to celebrate the life of Jesus every day of each year. We don’t need a bunny to remind us. He is risen – still!
[1] http://www.obhc.org/about-obhc
[2] http://www.counterculturebook.com
by James Hunt | Mar 31, 2015
As I write, I’m well aware that we are in Passion Week leading up to Easter Sunday. In addition to my preparations for preaching and leading at this weekend’s worship services I am also trying to prepare for my family’s big Easter celebration.
I am looking forward to spending time with my extended family. This is one of the few times of the year we all try to gather together for a meal and fellowship. I have three siblings living in Oklahoma along with their spouses and children. My mother also lives in the area. With more than 20 family members present, there is a lot of noise and busyness making for a pretty lively gathering. Easter is one of those big family days. At least that’s the way it’s always been for me.
This past Saturday on the northeast side of Oklahoma City, First Southern Baptist Church of Guthrie was invited to partner with Council Road Baptist Church of Bethany to serve at an OKDHS adoption fair. I have served at six of these events.
It was an odd experience for me this year to have some of the foster kids recognize me, smile, and say hello. In normal circumstances, being recognized and greeted is a pleasant experience. However, the reality is that the reason some of them recognized me is because they have been at multiple adoption fairs over the last few years – still without getting chosen for adoption.
If they are in a Christian home, they will observe Easter, but not with family. They will do so with the knowledge that they are the outsiders – the ones who don’t belong … really. How I long for each of these kids to have permanent families.
I believe our Heavenly Father wants this too. Imagine if Christians began to see adoption in light of the command of Jesus to carry a cross and identify with His sufferings. How many more undesirable older kids would be changed from legal orphans to sons and daughters?
Many people get on the road to adoption because their hearts are stirred by an emotional appeal. I’ve been there and done that. But the truth is an emotional appeal is not something that will sustain you in the long run.
Adoption is hard. It’s difficult filling out the paperwork and waiting for approval. It’s stressful to wait for the right child to be placed in your home. And just when you think the biggest challenges are over because you finally have the child in your home, you soon realize the difficulty and pain have just begun.
Many times, adoption is choosing to pick up a cross and bear it with joy and determination. A cross is something that is done intentionally for the honor and purpose and glory of God, though it may cause you suffering and harm.
The real tragedy of Easter this year is that there are many Christians who will look internally and celebrate God’s blessings; yet, will not look externally to bless others who do not have a real home or family. May God’s grace continue to wake up His church, and may all those children desiring to be picked, discover the love of God in Christ through His people as they open up their hearts and homes.
May Christians choose to bring children in and change them from orphans to sons and daughters through adoption. Oh, and I hope some kids will have new Easter outfits purchased by their new moms and dads this time next year. If you want to find out more information on fostering or adoption, please contact me at 405.503.4092 or email 20yearsshepherd@gmail.com.